Changes to the way spent fuel is stored at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant may be on the way.
Xcel Energy is proposing to allow a different cask design to be used for loading future spent fuel casks. The change would be for the last nine casks of the 64 the facility is allowed.
The proposed change required a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to be completed, and the draft is expected in January.
Following that, the timeline includes a public comment period and a final SEIS before the state Public Utilities Commission makes a decision on approving Xcel Energy's request.